In the context of the Bible, "striking" often refers to the act of hitting or inflicting physical force upon someone or something. This action can be seen in various narratives and laws throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both literal and metaphorical meanings.

Old Testament References

1. Cain and Abel: The first recorded act of striking in the Bible is the murder of Abel by his brother Cain. Genesis 4:8 states, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him." This act of violence is a profound example of sin's entrance into human relationships.

2. Moses and the Egyptian: In Exodus 2:11-12 , Moses witnesses an Egyptian striking a Hebrew slave. "One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." This incident marks a pivotal moment in Moses' life, leading to his eventual flight from Egypt.

3. The Law of Retaliation: The Mosaic Law addresses the issue of striking in the context of justice and retribution. Exodus 21:24 prescribes, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." This law was intended to limit retaliation and ensure that punishment was proportionate to the offense.

4. Striking the Rock: In Numbers 20:11 , Moses strikes the rock to bring forth water for the Israelites. "Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink." This act, however, was done in disobedience to God's command to speak to the rock, leading to consequences for Moses.

New Testament References

1. Jesus' Teachings on Striking: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of retaliation. Matthew 5:39 states, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Here, Jesus teaches a radical response to violence, emphasizing forgiveness and non-retaliation.

2. The Arrest of Jesus: During Jesus' arrest, one of His disciples strikes the servant of the high priest. John 18:10 records, "Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus." Jesus rebukes Peter, highlighting His commitment to non-violence and submission to God's will.

3. Paul's Experience: The Apostle Paul also faced physical violence. In Acts 23:2-3 , "At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, 'God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.'" This incident illustrates the tension between early Christians and Jewish authorities.

Theological Implications

The act of striking in the Bible often serves as a catalyst for deeper theological discussions about justice, mercy, and the nature of human sinfulness. It highlights the contrast between human tendencies toward violence and God's call for peace and reconciliation. The teachings of Jesus, in particular, challenge believers to respond to violence with love and forgiveness, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Strike.

2. (a. & n.) from Strike.

3. (a.) Affecting with strong emotions; surprising; forcible; impressive; very noticeable; as, a striking representation or image; a striking resemblance.

5568. psalmos -- a striking (of musical strings), a psalm
... a striking (of musical strings), a psalm. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: psalmos Phonetic Spelling: (psal-mos') Short Definition: a psalm ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5568.htm - 7k

3960. patasso -- to beat (of the heart), to strike
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to beat (of the heart), to strike NASB
Word Usage strike (2), strike down (3), striking down (1), struck (4). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3960.htm - 6k

4045. peripipto -- to fall around
... Word Origin from peri and pipto Definition to fall around NASB Word Usage
encounter (1), fell among (1), striking (1). fall into. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4045.htm - 7k

2852. kolaphizo -- to strike with the fist
... the (literally "knuckles"); to hit hard "with the knuckles, to make the blow sting
and crush . . in 2 Cor 12:7 the idea is striking with something ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2852.htm - 7k

6184. arits -- awe-inspiring, terror-striking
... 6183, 6184. arits. 6185 . awe-inspiring, terror-striking. Transliteration:
arits Phonetic Spelling: (aw-reets') Short Definition: ruthless. ...
/hebrew/6184.htm - 6k

5363. noqeph -- a striking off
... 5362b, 5363. noqeph. 5364 . a striking off. Transliteration: noqeph
Phonetic Spelling: (no'-kef) Short Definition: shaking. Word ...
/hebrew/5363.htm - 6k

5063. negeph -- a blow, a striking
... 5062, 5063. negeph. 5064 . a blow, a striking. Transliteration: negeph
Phonetic Spelling: (neh'-ghef) Short Definition: plague. ...
/hebrew/5063.htm - 6k

5221. nakah -- to smite
... smite (12), smiter (1), smiting (1), smitten (7), smote (13), stricken (3), strike
(49), strike down (9), strikes (9), strikes down (1), striking (4), striking ...
/hebrew/5221.htm - 7k

5062. nagaph -- to strike, smite
... strike, smite NASB Word Usage beaten (1), defeated (17), hurts (1), plagued (1),
routed (4), smite (3), smites (1), smote (3), strike (7), striking (1), struck ...
/hebrew/5062.htm - 6k

2380. chazuth -- vision, conspicuousness
... From chazah; a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by
implication) compact -- agreement, notable (one), vision. see HEBREW chazah. ...
/hebrew/2380.htm - 6k

4731. maqqel -- a rod, staff
... maqqlah {mak-kel-aw'}; from an unused root meaning apparently to germinate; a shoot,
ie Stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining ...
/hebrew/4731.htm - 6k

4550. massa -- a pulling up, breaking (camp), setting out, a ...
... journeying. From naca'; a departure (from striking the tents), ie March (not
necessarily a single day's travel); by implication, a station (or point of departure ...
/hebrew/4550.htm - 6k

7013. qayin -- a spear
... spear. From quwn in the original sense of fixity; a lance (as striking fast) --
spear. see HEBREW quwn. 7012, 7013. qayin. 7014 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7013.htm - 6k

2167. zamar -- to make music (in praise of God)
... With zamar through the idea of striking with the fingers); properly, to touch the
strings or parts of a musical instrument, ie Play upon it; to make music ...
/hebrew/2167.htm - 6k

Moses Striking the Rock.
... MOSES STRIKING THE ROCK. After the Israelites left Egypt they ... the people
were able to drink. [Illustration: STRIKING THE ROCK.]. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/moses striking the rock.htm

Striking Similes
... SECTION VIII STRIKING SIMILES. STRIKING SIMILES. A. ... Streaming tears, like pearl drops
from a flint. Striking with the force of an engine of destruction. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm

This the More Striking, if we Consider the Opposing Forces Out of ...
... Against the Heathen. Section 36. This the more striking, if we consider
the opposing forces out of which this order is produced. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 36 this the more.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... THE AMERICAN PASTOR'S JOURNAL:=. OR. Original Sketches of real Characters,
Conversations, and striking Facts. Furnished chiefly by Clergymen. ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

The Synoptists.
... But the first three Gospels present the unique phenomenon of a most striking agreement
and an equally striking disagreement both in matter and style, such as ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 79 the synoptists.htm

Strange Dark Shadowings.
... In the light of the Gospels we can easily see very striking likenesses between the
experiences in which keen suffering precedes great victory, of such national ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/strange dark shadowings.htm

Love and Peace.
... Thessalonians 3:16. It is striking to note the number of prayers in these
two short Epistles to Thessalonica. They are probably ...
//christianbookshelf.org/thomas/the prayers of st paul/iv love and peace.htm

The Food of the World
... It is one of their most striking characteristics that they are not, like the pretended
portents of false faiths, mere mighty deeds standing in no sort of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the food of the world.htm

Things Omitted from Mark's Gospel.
... We have another striking illustration of this same characteristic in connection
with our Lord cleansing the Temple. ... How striking is this omission. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/i things omitted from marks.htm

The Prophecy of the Perilous Times.
... application. How striking it is that we should read of "silly women" in
this inspired list of "last days" characteristics! Observe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the prophecy of the.htm

Striking (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Affecting with strong emotions; surprising; forcible; impressive; very
noticeable; as, a striking representation or image; a striking resemblance. ...
/s/striking.htm - 14k

Stroke (26 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of striking; a blow; a hit; a knock; esp., a violent or hostile
attack made with the arm or hand, or with an instrument or weapon. ...
/s/stroke.htm - 16k

Strike (168 Occurrences)
... 33. (vi) To become attached to something; -- said of the spat of oysters.
34. (vi) To steal money. 35. (n.) The act of striking. 36. ...
/s/strike.htm - 46k

Hellenism
... It is customary to distinguish two main periods, between which stands the striking
figure of Alexander the Great, and to apply to the earlier period the ...
/h/hellenism.htm - 26k

Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... Bethlehem, lived at Nazareth. This brings the narrative of Matthew into striking
relationship with that of Luke. The latter's concern ...
/i/innocents.htm - 20k

Mediation
... Still more striking are the words of Job above referred to, "There is no umpire
betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both," ie to enforce his decision ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Hellenist
... It is customary to distinguish two main periods, between which stands the striking
figure of Alexander the Great, and to apply to the earlier period the ...
/h/hellenist.htm - 26k

Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... Bethlehem, lived at Nazareth. This brings the narrative of Matthew into striking
relationship with that of Luke. The latter's concern ...
/m/massacre.htm - 20k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... Still more striking are the words of Job above referred to, "There is no umpire
betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both," ie to enforce his decision ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Kick (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To recoil; -- said of a musket, cannon, etc. 4. (n.) A blow with
the foot or feet; a striking or thrust with the foot. 5 ...
/k/kick.htm - 10k

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